Tag Archives: Citi Field

Do you remember Terry Collins’ passionate speech about showing a different team and not being embarrassed? Seems so long ago. Maybe he needs to que up the Knute Rockne music for an encore.

The Mets came out of the break five games over .500 and after last night’s 13-0 rout are five games under. They’ve lost nine straight at home, with only 26,000 bothering to show up to witness last night. Chris Young, coming off a strong outing against San Francisco – where the Mets may have left both their hearts and game – gave up seven runs in just 4.1 innings.

“When you get beat like this tonight, it’s one of those games, you just check it off the calendar and get ready for tomorrow,” said Collins, speaking in a classic managerial cliche.

Hell, last night unfolded as if the Mets checked it off after batting practice. Maybe saying that is piling on, I don’t know. What I do know is the team is about to face the Braves, Reds and Nationals.

The Mets talked about showing up, but that’s not enough. All the goodwill from the first half has been eroded as they are 2.5 games out of the cellar. Want to bet Miami and the Phillies will eventually catch them?

During the dog days at Shea when the team was playing poorly the paltry crowds were embarrassing to see in that cavernous ball park. Citi Field is getting that ghost town look, too. As a gesture of thanks to their disappointed fan base, the Mets ought to invite those people who watched last night’s carnage to show their ticket stub and come back again.

There’s plenty of room in Citi Field and it demonstrates goodwill. Actually, there’s no good reason not to do it.

A no-hitter would have been too much to ask for, but Matt Harvey took one into the sixth. Harvey walked four, hit a batter and gave up three hits, but pitched with poise as he passed his audition Monday night in Buffalo.

HARVEY: Kept his head (Mets)

Expect him to pitch this weekend against the Dodgers. Does he believe he’s ready?

“I do,” he told reporters. “Today I obviously wasn’t happy with as many walks. I feel like my last couple of starts have been pretty good. And I’m feeling confident with all of my pitches.”

Of course, what else is he going to say?

As I watched, I didn’t care too much about the walks – he’ll have to do better Saturday – but instead paid attention to how he kept his composure in pitching out of trouble. He did an admirable job.

The Mets made no announcement after the game, but I’d bet on seeing him at Citi Field this weekend.

The Mets, losers of six of seven before their sweep of Tampa Bay, will attempt to stay on their roll tonight against Cincinnati at Citi Field. Here’s tonight’s lineup against the Reds:

Kirk Nieuwenhuis – CF

Daniel Murphy – 2B

David Wright – 3B

Lucas Duda – RF

Ike Davis – 1B

Jason Bay – LF

Josh Thole – C

Omar Quintanilla – SS

Dillon Gee – RHP

LINEUP COMMENTS: Glad to see Terry Collins sticking with Kirk Neiuwenhuis instead of sending him to the bench. Collins must stay with Jason Bay for now since he had a few hits the other day. If Bay get hot, it might be a good idea to slot him between Lucas Duda and Ike Davis.

When the Mets’ schedule came out today was a game I circled on my calendar. Banner Day at Citi Field and the revival of one of the Mets’ great traditions. I used to love Banner Day simply because of its uniqueness. No team had anything remotely as close.

DICKEY: Has Padres guessing all day.

Speaking of uniqueness, what’s more unique than R.A. Dickey’s knuckler? Maybe it burst onto the Mets’ lore as an aberration and a gimmick, but it is getting better and better, damn near unhittable.

After today, Dickey is 7-1 and you tell me anybody more deserving to be named to the All-Star team? As of now, he should start. He along with David Wright.

This last week as been rough for me physically, but the Mets have made the time fly, and it has been fun. Loved watching Dickey toy with the Padres today. Looking forward to tomorrow afternoon’s holiday game with the Phillies. Wish it was a doubleheader.

This is developing into a compelling and interesting baseball season, and the Mets are making a lot of positive headlines. Six games over .400 with June days away. I couldn’t have asked for more.